How to Implement School Programs

Create educational opportunies for your students.

School programs allow students to become more involved in the school community and offer enriching educational opportunities. As a teacher, you have the opportunity to select and start a school program. School programs can be as varied as organized student government, book clubs, academic clubs or even something competitive, such as a "mathletes" program or the writing program "Power of the Pen." While beginning a school program does require planning, it can be a relatively hassle-free process. By working to ensure that your efforts are well-organized and effective, you can implement a program that enhances students' learning and enjoyment of school.

Instructions

1. Consult the school handbook or administration to determine what specific steps must be taken within your school. Every school has a slightly different procedure for school-program establishment. This procedure is likely outlined in your staff handbook. If you cannot locate information about how to begin a school program, speak to the administration or your department head to ensure that you properly follow the necessary procedures.

2. Determine the cost of the program. Take any enrollment fees or materials costs into consideration. Also, consider whether your program will require travel. If it will, calculate a rough estimate of these costs by considering the travel distance, type of vehicle and average gas cost. Determine where you will get funding. In some cases, your school's administration may have funds that they can allocate to your program. If you plan on fund-raising, develop a cursory plan as to what you might do.

3. Select students to be serviced by the program. If your program is academic in nature, determine the grade levels to which the program will be offered. If your program is extracurricular, decide which students the program would be open to and how you would determine who is eligible to participate.

4. The administration will likely want to know how this program will be advantageous to students. Prepare to offer an explanation as to why this program is worth implementing in your school so that you can adequately defend your proposed program.

5. Select staff members to oversee the program. If you do not intend to oversee the program, consider others who might be appropriate advisers, and approach them about overseeing the program in question.

6. Plan an implementation schedule. Determine when the program would begin, and create a tentative meeting and event schedule. While you may change your schedule when and if your program is implemented, this rough schedule will better allow the administration to decide whether or not to approve your proposal.

References

• US Department of Health and Human Services: Starting a Program
• Afterschool Investments: Starting an Afterschool Program